Grandma Moses of the Ozarks’ works to be displayed at Longwell Museum

An exciting new exhibit will soon be up in the Longwell Museum at Crowder College.

The exhibit will bring part of the Daisy Cook out of storage where it has been for many years. The free exhibit will run from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday-Friday from June 9-30.

Those who have seen some of Daisy's work are sure to want to see it again and children who do not know about Daisy should take the opportunity to experience it.

Daisy was born in 1902 on a farm near Republic, Mo. As a child she did all the things that were required to run a farm in the Ozarks. Eventually she married and had eight children. She also taught in rural schools in and around Branson.

After retirement, Daisy started a new occupation — painting. She had never thought of painting until one of her daughters was at the University of Missouri and took a painting class. She brought her painting supplies home and Daisy's interest was sparked.

After a few fits and starts, Daisy would paint the subject that she spent the rest of her life on — growing up on a farm in the Ozarks in the early part of the 20th Century. This was the subject she knew best and, in addition, she wanted her grandchildren to know their history and the way of life that was fast disappearing.

Sometimes called the "Grandma Moses of the Ozarks," Daisy had a very primitive and amateurish style that people fell in love with. She painted almost completely from memory and did approximately 350 paintings from her childhood.

Daisy was invited to Crowder College by art department chairman, Richard Boyt. Eventually, the college took a big interest in her work and, under the direction of President Dell Reed, the college began acquiring her work. There now are over 100 Daisy Cook paintings in the Crowder Collection.

The works of Daisy Cook are easy to spot with their primitive style and by her unique signature. Each painting is signed with a small image of a daisy whose roots are strung out to underline the word "Cook."

Rural subjects such as the Saturday night bath depict a way of life that few remember with a wash tub sitting in a country kitchen and the family taking turns bathing. In "The Peddler," viewers see a traveling peddler with his large bag opened on the front porch and Mamma and the kids gathered around to see all the fine things the man had for sale.

With over 100 paintings, the entire collection cannot be shown, but everyone is invited to see the works of Daisy Cook and everyone is encouraged to bring children who will no doubt be fascinated.

The show runs weekdays from June 9-30. There will be a reception from 4-6 p.m. on June 21.